Budget, Bonds On Maine Lawmakers’ Agenda

The state budget, bonds and property rights are on the agenda as Maine lawmakers return to the State House to conclude their 2012 session.Legislation to fill a roughly $80 million hole in the state Department of Health and Human Services budget, largely through MaineCare cuts, must be acted on after lawmakers reconvene Tuesday.A $96 million bond package that’s been endorsed by the Appropriations Committee goes before lawmakers. The five separate borrowing packages would raise money for roads and bridges, research and development at state colleges and universities, and port improvements.Also awaiting action is the so-called “takings” bill, which addresses compensation to landowners in cases of seizures of their properties for roads or other public facilities.Lawmakers are finishing up their work after taking a recess in mid-April.